At first glance, the “book a parking bay” feature might seem simple to implement within a parking system. However, it presents unique challenges. Initially, parking systems were designed as administrative tools for operators, but the “book a parking bay” feature is geared more towards the end user. Additionally, to allow users to “book a bay,” you cannot expect them to log in through a PC; a mobile app is essential. Furthermore, this feature often involves online payment, requiring users to pay upfront to reserve a parking bay, thus preventing “no-shows” that waste premium parking spaces. Lastly, the “book a bay” feature typically integrates with IoT devices such as P-Locks or LPR cameras.
Despite these challenges, parking operators may find it even more difficult to increase the usage of this feature, as it is often considered a “nice-to-have” rather than an essential function. For regular casual parking, users do not need a special app to access a parking site. Therefore, convincing users to download an app solely for this purpose is no easy task.
A legitimate question is: why do you need a book-a-bay feature for your parking site? The typical answers include boosting parking revenue and providing exclusivity and convenience for users. For instance, if a mall’s parking site is frequently full, users might be willing to pay an extra fee to secure a parking bay in advance. Alternatively, merchants might want to reserve certain parking bays exclusively for their customers. Imagine if TGV Cinemas extended its app’s deluxe seating ticket booking to include parking bays.
In summary, the “book a bay” feature is unlikely to stand on its own, meaning that a standalone “Book a Bay” app might struggle to survive. However, it can be a valuable addition to a location-based super app that targets different types of buildings, such as shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, schools, office towers, etc. In such cases, this “nice-to-have” feature could become a significant differentiating element.
For the TimeTec Parking System, we offer the “book a bay” feature in three options:
Option 1: Using P-Lock with Bluetooth communication for each premium bay.
Option 2: Using P-Lock & LPR Camera for each premium bay via RS485 connection.
Option 3: Using LPR & Parking Barrier for Premium Parking Area Segregation.
A “nice-to-have” feature can become essential if the underlying needs are met. Digital transformation offers endless possibilities to address increasingly sophisticated requirements across various industries, and the “book a bay” feature for the parking industry is just one example.
About TimeTec:
TimeTec Group was established in 2000. Over the past 20 years, the Group has developed three homegrown, globally recognized IT brands: FingerTec, TimeTec, and iNeighbour. These brands specialize in workforce management, security, smart parking, smart office, smart residential, and smart township solutions, harnessing the power of biometrics, cloud and edge computing, IoT, and AI technologies. All these solutions connect and reshape the landscape of work life and home life within a larger ecosystem.
Through an extensive network, TimeTec Group distributes its biometric hardware products and 18 cloud applications, including IoT devices, to more than 150 countries worldwide. Visit our company websites at TimeTec Cloud, FingerTec, iNeighbour, and TimeTec Building.
Various renowned clients have subscribed to TimeTec’s solutions, including IOI Properties, Putrajaya Holdings, Ibraco, Binastra, Thriven, Hock Seng Lee, QSR Brands, Central Sugars Refinery (CSR), Sunway Constructions, Mamee, Yakult, Nano Malaysia Berhad, and many more. The versatility and feasibility of TimeTec products also attract international customers from around the world, including Hong Kong, Dubai, Australia, South Africa, and beyond.
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